SOLUTION: Two less than thrice a number is thirteen. What is the number? Give an equation

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Question 1193832: Two less than thrice a number is thirteen. What is the number? Give an equation
Found 3 solutions by math_tutor2020, Alan3354, ikleyn:
Answer by math_tutor2020(3816)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

x = some unknown number
3x = thrice the number, aka 3 times the number
3x-2 = two less than thrice a number
3x-2 = 13

Let's solve for x
We follow PEMDAS in reverse to undo each operation done to x
3x-2 = 13
3x-2+2 = 13+2
3x = 15
3x/3 = 15/3
x = 5

x = 5 is the number
3x = 3*5 = 15 = thrice the number
3x-2 = 15-2 = 13
The answer has been verified

Answers:
equation is 3x-2 = 13
the number is 5

Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Two less than thrice a number is thirteen? What is the number? Give an equation
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If you can't figure this out, you're in the wrong class.

Answer by ikleyn(52780)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

From the first statement, thrice the number is two more than thirteen, i.e. 13+2 = 5.

Hence, the number itself is 15/3 = 5.         ANSWER

For such simple problems, it useful to know simple ways to solve them.